The Small Ball Impact Tester measures the resistance of impact on laminated surfaces. It determines the minimum impact force until there is visible damage to the surface under test. Specimens are subjected to the impact from a 5-mm steel ball mounted at one end of a spring-loaded bolt. The minimum spring force needed to cause visible damage is used as a measure of resistance to impact by the small-diameter ball.
The impact resistance to small-diameter ball is the maximum value of the spring force, in newtons (N), for which no damage occurs in a series of five successive strikes at the same spring force. The final result will be the average value from the maximum values obtained from the last four specimens tested, expressed to the nearest 1 N.
The Small Ball Impact Tester has been designed and manufactured in reference to ISO Standard
24335, 4586-2 and EN 438-2. The Tester is used to simulate service conditions and its decorative surfaces that are subjected to the impact a spring-loaded bolt. The minimum spring force needed to cause visible damage is used as a measure of resistance to impact. The test is distructive by means of impact from falling small steel ball on the floor coverings. The force of the steel ball helps determine the ability of a laminate floor covering to withstand impact.
Apparatus
The Small Ball Impact Tester consists of the following:
- A release that can be adjusted continuously from 0 N to 90 N
- Stainless steel base support fixture
- Impact Release Lever: Used to release impact bolt for testing
- Newton metre scale (N/m)
- A compression spring when released will give a constant of 1,962 N/m ± 50 N/m
Test Specimens
Specimens shall be prepared evenly bonding a piece of the sheet under test to the wood chipboard using specified adhesive. For the test, about 10 specimens shall be prepared, each having dimensions of 230mm ± 5mm square.
For conditioning of test specimens, please refer to Standards.
Laminate Impact Test Procedure
- Place your sample piece on a flat horizontal surface
- Turn the thimble to your required force (example: 4 = 40 N) checking supplied calibration report graph for reference
- Then press the release lever fully down and hold
- Holding the release lever down, pull up the spring tension knob and release the lever to allow the stopper to engage itself. Allow the spring tension knob down to settle down slowly so the impact bolt will be resting on the stopper
- Place the tester on the sample surface to be tested
- Release the loading spring tension knob by pressing impact release lever downwards (press swiftly down on the leaver so the spring fires the impact bolt)
Test at least five different specimens for the final determination of the maximum force at which no damage occurs. The distance between points of impact shall be at least 20mm and between points of impact and the edge of the specimen at least 30mm. Examine the specimen for damage at the points of impact. For this test, damage to the specimen is defined by the presence of fine hairline cracks, continuous cracks or flaking of the surface.
Test Report
- Evaluation should include the following information:
- Reference to Test Report of ISO 4586-2 and/or EN 438-2: 2005
- Name and type of product
- Impact Strength, in newtons
- Any deviation from the specified procedure
- Date of test